Immigration Detainees: Religious Needs

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will issue instructions to the managers of Immigration Acts detention centres to consult appropriate authorities of each religion when appointing visiting ministers.

Lord Rooker: The Detention Centre Rules 2001 require the appointment of a religious affairs manager at every Immigration Service detention centre, whose task it will be to ensure that arrangements are made to provide for the various religious needs of those in detention, including access to appropriate ministers of religion. In addition, where the Secretary of State considers that the number of persons of a particular religion in a detention centre is such as to require the appointment to the centre of a minister of that religion, he may appoint such a minister. Separately, we have set up a Religious Affairs Advisory Group comprised of representatives of the main religions likely to be found in detention centres. This group will be available to offer advice on religious affairs issues within detention centres, including guidance on appropriate religious bodies or organisations to approach in connection with the appointment of ministers of religion.

Highdown Prison: Late Arrival of Prisoners at Court

Lord Avebury: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What inquiries they have made into the repeated late arrival of prisoners from Highdown prison at Guildford Crown Court; and whether the degree of co-operation between the prison authorities and Premier Custodial Services (the firm contracted to transport prisoners between the prison and court) is satisfactory.

Lord Rooker: The Prison Service accepts that the delivery of prisoners from Highdown prison to Guildford Crown Court has been unsatisfactory and is determined to solve the problem. It has therefore set up a working party to examine the causes and make recommendations for their resolution. Membership comprises representatives of Highdown prison, the local escort contractor, Premier Prison Services, and the courts. The accepted recommendations of the working party will be implemented as quickly as possible.

Trafficking for Sexual Exploitation: Redress

Lord Hylton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What legal redress and physical protection are available to women in the United Kingdom who have been "trafficked" or trapped into prostitution; and whether they are always permitted to remain in this country to give evidence while their cases are considered.

Lord Rooker: There is currently no specific offence of trafficking in human beings but there are legislative provisions which may be used to prosecute those involved in trafficking into the United Kingdom for the purposes of prostitution. Setting the Boundaries, the report of a review of sexual offences, recommends that a specific offence of trafficking in human beings for the purposes of commercial sexual exploitation should be created. The responses to consultation on that review's recommendations are currently being analysed.
	Existing legislation deals with many of the individual elements which constitute trafficking. In bringing any criminal prosecution, the evidential contribution of witnesses is crucial and this Government are keen to ensure that a safe environment exists in which potential witnesses can feel confident to come forward and give evidence against traffickers. There is no automatic right to temporary or permanent residence for those witnesses whose presence in the United Kingdom is unlawful. The Immigration Act 1971 (as amended), however, makes provision for the Secretary of State to exercise his discretion in appropriate circumstances to grant exceptional leave to enter or remain outside the normal provisions of the Immigration Rules. If the Police and/or Crown Prosecution Service identify a potential witness whose presence at court they wish to secure and who would otherwise fall to be removed from the United Kingdom, an application is made to the Secretary of State to consider whether to exercise his discretion to treat them outside the Immigration Rules in order to allow them to remain during the course of judicial proceedings. Each application is considered individually on its merits.
	We are also considering what needs to be done to create the circumstances in which a non-governmental organisation could be formed which would provide support and advice to the victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation.

Prison Service: Environmental Performance

Baroness David: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What progress the Prison Service has made towards improving its environmental performance.

Lord Rooker: The Prison Service is making good progress in this area. A formal greening operations policy was introduced in March 2000, the implementation of which is being overseen by a headquarter's working group chaired by a member of the Prison Service Management Board.
	During the last year there have been many developments in areas such as biodiversity, energy efficiency, procurement, transport and waste management. These are described in the service's first annual environmental report, which was published yesterday, a copy of which has been placed in the Library.
	The Director General of the Prison Service has made clear his personal commitment to improving the environmental performance of the service and a challenging programme of further work, detailed in the report, has been set for the current year.

Prison Estate: Women and Immigration Detainees

Lord Judd: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to restructure the prison estate to accommodate the number of women being given custodial sentences and those people being detained for reasons of immigration.

Lord Rooker: The use of the prison estate is kept under constant review by the Prison Service Management Board and I have endorsed its decision to change the function of Downview male closed prison to become a female closed prison; to remove immigration detainees from Rochester making the whole of that establishment a young offender institution; and for Dover young offender institution to become an establishment dedicated to immigration detainees.

Foreign Nationals: Application for Leave to Remain

Baroness Warwick of Undercliffe: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What plans they have to replace the current application forms for foreign nationals wishing to apply for leave to remain in the United Kingdom.

Lord Rooker: The current application forms are valid for use only until 14 October 2001. Revised forms will be prescribed before then and should be available by the end of September. From the time they are issued until 14 October 2001, applications may be made on either the newly prescribed forms or the present versions. Only the new forms may be used for applications made on or after 15 October 2001. Copies will be placed in the Library when they are available.

Public Trust Office

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they intend to publish the Public Trust Office's annual report and accounts for 2000-01.

Lord Irvine of Lairg: The Public Trust Office's annual report and accounts for 2000-01 have been published today and copies have been laid in the Libraries of both Houses.

Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many Palestinian refugees in Lebanon are registered with the United Nations RWA (Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees in the Near East); what is their estimate of the actual numbers in individual camps; and what is the present United Kingdom contribution to the UNRWA programme.

Baroness Amos: According to UNRWA, there are 373,000 registered Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, of whom 208,000 live in refugee camps. However, it is widely believed that the actual number of Palestinian refugees remaining in Lebanon is considerably lower than the official figures and that the actual figure is around 150,000 to 200,000. The UK has contributed £10 million to UNRWA's General Fund for 2001. In June, we agreed to provide a further £5 million, of which £3 million was to support the General Fund budget deficit and £2 million for the UNRWA emergency appeal. This brings the UK's total contribution to the emergency appeals to £10 million since November 2000.

Palestinian Refugees in Lebanon

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What evidence they have that Palestinian refugees in Lebanon will be fully consulted in any final peace settlement under United Nations Resolution 194; and what actions they are taking to achieve this.

Baroness Amos: We support UN General Assembly Resolution 194 which calls for the right of return and compensation for Palestinian refugees. A permanent solution to their plight can only be achieved as part of an agreement on final status. We continue to encourage and support the parties in their search for a negotiated agreement. Though this at present seems a remote prospect, there is no alternative vision that can provide lasting security, peace with justice and prosperity for all peoples in the region. In this process it is primarily for the Palestinian negotiators to take due account of the refugees themselves in Lebanon and elsewhere. We maintain regular contact with Palestinians throughout the region, as with all the other parties.

Libya: Goods Subject to Export Controls

Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether any goods subject to strategic export controls have been approved for export to Libya.

Baroness Amos: In September 2000 the Government inadvertently issued a licence for a small quantity of military listed chemicals to Libya. This was technically in breach of the UK interpretation of the EU arms embargo on Libya. The chemical was for use in the laboratory analysis of water and sewage samples. The goods have now been exported and the licence has been returned as exhausted. As a result of the error Her Majesty's Government have revised assessment procedures of export licence applications to embargoed destinations. The Government continue to support the EU arms embargo on Libya.

Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill: Human Rights Statement

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether a statement has been made under the Human Rights Act 1998 in connection with the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill.

Lord McIntosh of Haringey: I have made a statement under Section 19(1)(a) of the Human Rights Act 1998 that, in my view, the provisions of the Consolidated Fund (Appropriation) Bill are compatible with the convention rights. A copy of the statement has been placed in the Library of the House.

Ilisu Dam

The Earl of Sandwich: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Why they continue to guarantee assistance to the Ilisu Dam project in Turkey against the advice of expert opinion and House of Commons Select Committees.

Lord Sainsbury of Turville: The Government are not currently providing any assistance to the Ilisu project.
	We have recently received the Environmental Impact Assessment Report (EIAR) for the project and a copy of the report has been placed in the Library of both Houses.
	A decision about export credit support requires very careful consideration. We shall therefore be seeking expert advice on the EIAR and consulting our ministerial colleagues before taking a decision.

Nuclear Weapons: Safety

Baroness Nicol: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide information on the circumstances of each of the accidents involving UK nuclear weapons referred to in the answer given by the then Minister for the Armed Forces on 16 July 1996 (Official Report, cols. 484-85).

Lord Bach: We have a good record on the safety and security of our nuclear weapons and continue to place the highest importance on work in this area. We have today placed in the Library of both Houses a table which sets out the circumstances of each of the seven accidents concerned. The information it contains is drawn from records spanning a period of 40 years and confirms that there has never been a weapons accident resulting in the release of radioactive material; there has never been damage to a weapon which risked a radioactive leak or an explosion; there has never been a nuclear weapon lost.
	In addition to the three road traffic accidents referred to in the table, our research has identified one other, similar, event which took place in 1960 in Lincolnshire. There was no damage to the weapon involved. Since this event pre-dates the current reporting system it is unclear whether, in today's terms, it would be categorised as an accident.
	The Government remain committed to greater openness on nuclear issues wherever possible. A key responsibility, however, must be to protect the safety and operational security of our nuclear forces and the people who support them. The practice of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons at any particular place and at any particular time will therefore continue to be a cornerstone of the Government's policy on nuclear weapons issues.

French and German Teaching

Lord Lester of Herne Hill: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What are their plans to promote the more widespread teaching of French and German to pupils in primary and secondary schools.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: It is not our policy to promote specific languages, although French and German remain the most popular subjects for study in secondary schools. All pupils in England have a statutory entitlement to learn at least one foreign language from the age of 11. The national curriculum requires schools to offer at least one of the working languages of the European Union, which, of course, include French and German.
	We do not have a statutory curriculum for modern foreign languages at primary age but primary schools can offer languages as a voluntary option and French is the most popular choice. We are already doing a great deal to support language teaching in primary schools. The national curriculum contains guidance for teaching seven to 11 year olds, and we have published a scheme of work for primary French and further materials for primary German and Spanish. We recently announced further funding of over £200,000 for Early Language Learning initiative, through which we are piloting approaches to extend language teaching in primary schools, gathering good practice and developing classroom materials. We will be building on existing links between primary schools and specialist language colleges. The increasing number of specialist colleges and the developing focus on their roles as hubs of excellence will enhance opportunities for primary schools to access language expertise.

Language Teaching

Lord Williams of Elvel: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What their position is on a proposed pilot project for teaching foreign languages in primary and secondary schools in England which is at present under discussion by head teachers and local education authorities.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: We have been discussing with our key European partners of France, Germany and Spain opportunities for enhancing language learning in primary and secondary schools. The department hosted a seminar on 13 July for head teachers and key language partners to discuss the practicalities and potential of a proposal presented by the German Ambassador.
	The proposal will complement our plans to widen opportunities for primary language learning, to build on existing links between primary schools and specialist language colleges and to look at the feasibility of bilingual language teaching. We are already supporting an early language learning project and a feasibility study of bilingual teaching will start later this year. Following the seminar, we will be examining targeted bids for support to develop a small number of locally driven pilot projects.

Education Reform White Paper

Lord Acton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish the White Paper on education reform.

Baroness Ashton of Upholland: The Government will issue a White Paper on education reform in September 2001.

Remploy

Lord Mason of Barnsley: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What is the future of the Remploy Factory in Barnsley; what disposal strategy has been agreed; and to what extent the workforce has been affected.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: Remploy is planning to move its operations to a new site on the Fallbank industrial estate later this year. This is within two miles of their existing location, with good public transport and road links and provides an opportunity to ensure Remploy continues in Barnsely with more modern premises and prospects for increased workloading. The new site forms part of the Remploy modernisation strategy and will increase opportunities for the training and development of more disabled people in Barnsley. This approach is entirely in line with the Government's new Workstep programme which seeks to provide more opportunities for disabled people in the labour market.
	Remploy is currently in discussion with the local authority about the disposal of its existing site in Pogmoor and has had extensive discussions with the employees and trade unions in the present Barnsley site about the proposed move. The management in Remploy advises me that these discussions have been positive and constructive and that there is full support for the move to the new location from their employees.

Warrington: Pensioners

Lord Hoyle: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	How many pensioners there are in the Warrington area.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: The number of people in receipt of retirement pension in the parliamentary constituencies of Warrington as at 30 September 2000 was 31,600. Source: Pension Strategy Computer System at 30 September 2000 based on a 5 per cent sample. Note: Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred.

Appeal Tribunals: President's Report

Lord Burlison: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When he will publish the first annual report of the president of appeal tribunals on the standards of decision-making in cases coming to appeal tribunals.

Baroness Hollis of Heigham: I am pleased to publish today the first report by the president of appeal tribunals. Of those cases where the appeal tribunal overturned or amended the decision, the main reasons given were because they took a different view of the same evidence, the presence of the appellant at the hearing shed new light on the existing evidence or new evidence was produced at the hearing.
	The president has highlighted some areas where he feels decision-making could improve; for example, placing greater weight on the claimant's oral or written evidence. These points will be carefully considered by the agency chief executives, who are now responsible for monitoring and reporting on the standards of decisions made by their staff. To assist them with this, both the Benefits Agency and the Child Support Agency have set up standards committees, on which the president is represented. I welcome the president's report, which provides an independent view of the standard of Secretary of State decision-making in cases coming to the appeal tribunal.
	Copies of the report have been placed in the Library and will be available on the Internet.

Nursing Home Care

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they intend to make information available on the number of nursing home residents who are found to fall within the continuing healthcare eligibility criteria and in consequence to qualify for fully funded National Health Service care rather than their nursing costs as a result of their assessment for nursing needs.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: There are no plans to collect this information centrally. Health authorities already monitor the number of people receiving fully funded National Health Service continuing care in all settings, including nursing homes.

Nursing Home Care

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will indicate, in cases where a potential resident plans to move to a nursing home in another health authority or local authority area:
	(a) which health authority will be responsible for assessing the individual and paying the home; and
	(b) in cases where the person also requires local authority funding, which local authority will be responsible for assessment and paying the home.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: The issues surrounding residency are dealt with in the draft guidance on free nursing care that has been issued for consultation today. Essentially, the health authority or primary care trust where the person is registered with a general practitioner is responsible for free nursing care. The council where the person was resident prior to entering a nursing home will retain responsibility for funding the other costs of the placement.
	We look forward to receiving any comments that my noble friend may have on this and other issues during the course of consultation.

Nursing Home Care

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether from October 2001 those persons who currently fund their own nursing care will:
	(a) be informed in writing of the outcome of the nursing assessment and the amount the National Health Service is to pay the nursing home for the nursing care they receive;
	(b) be advised to rearrange any existing contract with the home to reduce agreed fees by that amount; and
	(c) be given information about how to appeal.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: Detailed draft guidance on the implementation of free nursing care will be issued shortly for consultation. After the period of consultation and before planned implementation for those funding their own care from 1 October, we intend to issue a leaflet aimed at residents, their families and carers that will explain the changes. These issues will be addressed in both those documents. Individuals will be advised that from 1 October their contract with a nursing home will need to reflect that from that date the National Health Service will become responsible for their care by a registered nurse.

Nursing Home Care

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What monitoring of fee levels in nursing homes is planned to ensure that residents' fees are reduced by the nursing home to a level to cover living and personal care costs only.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: We have no such plan. When free nursing care is introduced for those paying for their nursing care from 1 October, it will be a matter for the individual and the nursing home concerned to agree how the National Health Service contribution to their nursing care will be taken into account in the fee levels that they pay. Advice on this will be included in a leaflet for residents, their families and their carers that will be issued before October.

Nursing Home Care

Lord Lipsey: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they plan to ensure that any increases in the costs of registered nursing care through inflation and wages rises will be covered by the National Health Service as they occur; and if so, how.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: From October 2001 health authorities will receive an addition to their general allocations for care by a registered nurse in a nursing home. Each year decisions about increases in general allocations take account of the pay and price pressures health authorities face.

Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act: Annual Report

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will publish an annual report under Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Health is publishing today the annual report for 1999-2000, and copies are being placed in the Library. The report covers research and development work carried out by (or on behalf of) government departments in relation to equipment that might increase the range of activities and independence or well-being of disabled people and in particular such equipment as might improve their indoor and outdoor mobility.
	The current report places such research in the context of the NHS Plan and outlines the role of assistive technology in making independent living easier for older people and people with disabilities. The report describes the wide range of government funded projects supporting the development, introduction and evaluation of assistive technology. Relevant projects funded by the European Union are also listed.

Children Act

Baroness Gould of Potternewton: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	When they will report on the operation of the Children Act 1989.

Lord Hunt of Kings Heath: My right honourable friends the Secretary of State for Health, the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the Lord Chancellor have today published a report on the Children Act 1989 pursuant to their duties under Section 83 of the Act. Copies are available in the Library and Vote Office and are being sent to all local authorities in England and to a wide range of organisations. A copy of this document can also be found at the following website address: www.doh.gov.uk/scg/childrenactreport2000.htm.

Flood Risk and Planning Permission

Baroness Knight of Collingtree: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What action is being taken to ensure that local authorities take heed of, and act on, professional warnings of flood dangers before granting planning permission for housing developments.

Lord Falconer of Thoroton: The Government have today published a new Planning Policy Guidance Note (PPG) 25 Development and flood risk which advises on the consideration that needs to be given to flood dangers when determining planning applications for housing and other developments. It emphasises the lead role of the Environment Agency in providing advice on flood risk.
	The Government recognise, however, that there will be occasions when other planning considerations in favour of development proceeding will outweigh objections from the agency on flood risk grounds. In such cases, PPG 25 makes clear that the provision and future maintenance of any flood defences or other mitigation measures required because of the development should be fully funded by the developer.
	The Government will monitor closely the impact and effectiveness of PPG 25 through national land use change statistics and the high level targets published by the then Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in 1999. These require the agency to report annually on planning applications on which it has been consulted and whether decisions by local planning authorities or on appeal were in line with or contrary to its advice on flood risk.
	In the light of this the Government will consider further whether there is need to introduce a flooding direction under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. This could require local planning authorities to refer to the Secretary of State applications they are minded to permit contrary to advice from the Environment Agency on flood risk.

Palace of Westminster: Stone Restoration

Lord Janner of Braunstone: asked the Chairman of Committees:
	What steps are being taken to complete the cleaning of the fabric of the Palace of Westminster.

Lord Tordoff: The programme to complete the external stone restoration of the Palace of Westminster is to begin work on Commons and Commons Inner Courts in 2002; Peers and Peers Inner Courts in 2003; followed by Star Chamber, Cloister, Chancellors and State Officers Courts in 2005. The programme is constrained by the need to use courtyards as Summer Recess working areas for other projects and by available budgets.